This incredible poem by a little boy with Asperger's Syndrome had his parents in tears

By Marelize Potgieter

18 April 2016

A poem by a 10-year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome, which provides a glimpse into the world of a child who has to live with the condition, will move you to tears.

A poem by a 10-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome provides a glimpse into the world of a child who has to live with the condition.

Benjamin Giroux wrote the poem at school and for each line his teacher gave him the first two words, such as “I am”, “I wonder”, “I see”, and he had to complete them.

The result was an unbelievable bit of writing which gives you real insight into what the boy has to endure every day. Among other things, he writes: “I am strange. I am new. I imagine you are too.”

He also writes: “I feel like a boy in outer space. I touch the stars and feel out of place.”

Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism.

Benjamin’s father, Sonny, told the Huffington Post the poem had him and his wife in tears the first time they read it. “We were both so proud, and yet so heartbroken, that this was how he felt,” he said.

It was shared on National Autism in America’s Facebook page on Sunday and has already had 14 000 likes.

Sarah Miletic also commented, writing: “Beautiful and touching words, Benjamin, it brought tears to my eyes, as I know my dear son goes through these emotions and feelings each and every day.”

Sonny said the shared the poem because they want parents whose kids also suffer from autism to see what their children can feel.

Sandy Uswald, national director of Autism South Africa, says one does find children with the condition who can express themselves well in the written word, but autism has such a broad spectrum you also find those who will never be able to write.

“Children with autism are often drawn to technology. It’s predictable. You press a button and you can know what will happen. Other people are not like that at all. People are often unpredictable and scary,” she says. “Technology feels safe and often helps children to be more creative.”

She advises parents of children with autism to approach experts to acquire suitable computer programs and technology that can help their kids express themselves.

“We don’t always understand the world these kids find themselves in. We have no common ground. But one thing autism does teach you is you can’t put people into boxes.”